Earlier this year, in the co-main event of the massively hyped UFC 202, Brazilian light heavyweight Glover Teixeira looked to reassert himself as a legitimate title contender with a win over Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Unfortunately for Teixeira, he would instead become the latest man to crumble under Rumble’s legendary punching power. He hit the canvas just 13 seconds into the first round.
In a recent interview with AG Fight (via Bloody Elbow), Teixeira recounted this violent loss, explaining that he simply didn’t have time to get to work with his grappling skill.
“How many times have you seen someone knock somebody out in 13 seconds? I know about my potential and I wasn’t there to prove anything to anyone. Jiu-jitsu is my strong suit, but I trust my wrestling and my striking. I know about my potential, but I didn’t have time.
The Brazilian also emphasized just how hard Rumble actually punches. Apparently, he’s never been hit so hard in his life. Considering his fighting career has seen him battle monsters like Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Ryan Bader, Rashad Evans, and Ovince St. Preux, that’s saying something.
The fight starts standing, so you have to strike,” Teixeira explained. “It’s just like what they told Aldo when he lost to McGregor. There was no time to react, it happens. To be honest, he was the strongest guy to ever hit me. It was the first KO I ever suffered. I had been knocked down in training before where my vision went dark for a little bit, but never like that. He hits too hard and the gloves are very small. Depending on how it hits you, it’s over.”
At the moment, Teixeira doesn’t have a fight booked. Rumble, meanwhile, is scheduled for a light heavyweight title shot against Daniel Cormier, the only man he’s lost to as a light heavyweight. The two talents will share the main event honors of UFC 206 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada this December 10.
Do you think Rumble’s legendary punching power will carry him to a victory over Cormier this time around? Or is he destined for another loss to the reigning champ? Sound off, PENN Nation!